The Life and
Adventures of Nat Love (1854-1921)
"Deadwood Dick"

CHAPTER VI: THE WORLD IS BEFORE ME. I
JOIN THE TEXAS COWBOYS. RED RIVER DICK. MY FIRST OUTFIT. MY FIRST INDIAN FIGHT.
I LEARN TO USE MY GUN.

It
was on the tenth day of February, 1869, that I left the old home, near
Nashville, Tennessee. I was at that time about fifteen years old, and
though while young in years the hard work and farm life had made me strong
and hearty, much beyond my years, and I had full confidence in myself as
being able to take care of myself and making my way.

I at once struck out for Kansas of which I had heard something. And
believing it was a good place in which to seek employment. It was in the
west, and it was the great west I wanted to see, and so by walking and
occasional lifts from farmers going my way and taking advantage of every
thing that promised to assist me on my way, I eventually brought up at
Dodge City, Kansas, which at that time was a typical frontier city, with a
great many saloons, dance halls, and gambling houses, and very little of
anything else. When I arrived the town was full of cow boys from the
surrounding ranches, and from Texas and other parts of the west. As Kansas
was a great cattle center and market, the wild cow boy, prancing horses of
which I was very fond, and the wild life generally, all had their
attractions for me, and I decided to try for a place with them. Although
it seemed to me I had met with a bad outfit, at least some of them, going
around among them I watched my chances to get to speak with them, as I
wanted to find some one whom I thought would give me a civil answer to the
questions I wanted to ask, but they all seemed too wild around town, so
the next day I went out where they were in camp.

Approaching a party who were eating their breakfast, I got to speak with
them. They asked me to have some breakfast with them, which invitation I
gladly accepted. During the meal I got a chance to ask them many
questions.